Why did the Holocaust happen?

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Introduction

The Holocaust took place for a number of reasons some of which were long term and others short term. The main reasons are; for centuries Germany had been an anti-Semitic country Jews were used as scapegoats for German problems. Also centuries of Nazi persecution caused the Holocaust in particular 1933 -1939 as well as Adolf Hitler and his racist views which influenced thousands of Germans. The Main reason for the holocaust happening was that Germany had been anti-Semitic for many centuries, and during those centuries the anti-Semitism had gradually got worse. Therefore because this was becoming a racial war, this was an opportunity for Germany to 'cleanse' itself of Jews like it should have done centuries ago. With Hitler being Anti-Semitic and a strong leader for the Nazi party, Anti-Semitism was influencing the minds of ordinary German civilians. Adolf Hitler had previously been in prison before he became ruler of Germany in his second attempt. During the time he was in prison, he wrote a book called 'Mien Kamph' his book was incredibly racist and anti -Semitic, Hitler expressed his hatred for the Jews and influenced his readers into hating these 'impure' people. ...read more.

Middle

Thirdly I would like to add that there had been centuries of persecution from the Nazis in particular; 1933-1939. In 1933 when Adolf Hitler cam to power he immediately began discriminating Jewish people. They were banned from working in public places such as broadcasting and teaching. Moreover also in the year of 1933, the first major act of discrimination was the Boycotting of all Jewish shops and workplaces; they were discriminated and identified with the Jewish Star of David. Then in 1935, all German Jews and other Jews had their citizenship taken away from them; they were to be regarded as their own race, an impure race that was not to be mixed with any others such as Germany. Jews were forbidden to marry or have any relationships between 'pure' Germans. Any jobs that were applied for by Jews they were refused and rejected. On April the 7th 1933 In Germany the non - Aryans were banned from practicing law and working in the civil services. Later they were to ban from a variety of professions including farming, art, literature, journalism, music and theatre. Between 1933-1939 over 1400 anti- Jewish laws were passed and enforced in Germany. ...read more.

Conclusion

Adolf Hitler promised to deal with the 'treaty of Versailles'. Hitler's anti - Semitism helped him into power in 1939, which was the second attempt to come to power from the last time when he had been arrested and escorted to prison. Adolf Hitler and his followers and selected leaders for the Nazi party contributed towards the setting up of the concentration camps and soon enough the ghettos where the Jews were imprisoned and walled off from the city. The harsh death causing conditions of the ghettos. Diseases were spread; children were forced through walls, beaten to death. Shootings carried out by the SS. Hitler was in many cases what led to the Holocaust. In conclusion, these were the main reasons for the Holocaust taking place. However I think that definitely the foremost important reason for the Holocaust ever happening was centuries of Europe being anti - Semitic. Despite the fact Adolf Hitler is very responsible for in which the ways he convinced so many Germans into hating these 'impure' innocent people, he was not entirely at fault for the holocaust happening. He was influenced very much by other anti - Semitic leaders, there could have possibly been another leader and public speaker who could have for filled the role that he did for the Holocaust. By Julia Day ...read more.

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